Castello di Monti, also known as Castello Malaspina Monti, is a medieval fortress in Monti, a hamlet of Licciana Nardi in the province of Massa-Carrara, Tuscany. It offers a compact history-focused outing from Aulla, but visits require advance reservation and take place at set times.
- Location: Monti, in the Lunigiana valley.
- Visits: reservation only, at set times.
- Tour: about one hour, booked in advance.
Where is Castello di Monti?
Castello di Monti stands on a hill above the Taverone stream, in the hamlet of Monti. The site overlooks the location of the ancient settlement of Venelia and the Pieve of Santa Maria di Venelia.
The fortress is associated with routes that crossed the Lunigiana valley. The Comune di Licciana Nardi says it probably began as a fortified checkpoint where the road from Lucca and the Strata Lizane from Emilia met local routes.
The national park identifies it as a former post on the Via Francigena; the earliest documents about the castle date to 1275.
The castle and village changed hands several times. Monti’s residents chose to place themselves under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1638. The fortress remained a Malaspina possession for centuries amid further changes of ownership, and it is now the family’s summer residence.
How do you get from Aulla to Castello di Monti?
Castello di Monti is about 13 minutes by car from Demy Hotel.
Bus route L26 connects Aulla with Castello di Comano and serves destinations including Monti and Licciana. The route has several stops in the Monti area, among them Monti, Piano di Monti, Ponte Bosio, Monti Falegnameria, Monti da Guerrieri and Via Massese/Via San Martino.
If you plan to use the bus, check Autolinee Toscane’s current route information for service details and stop changes.
How do you arrange a visit?
Visits to Castello di Monti are by reservation only and take place at set times; there is no recurring weekly opening schedule. Sigeric says the guided tour lasts about one hour and must be booked in advance. The meeting point is the castle entrance.
The Comune di Licciana Nardi gives the visitor entrance as Via Castello, 4, 54016 Monti MS. Sigeric recommends entering “Via Castello 1 – Monti di Licciana Nardi” in a navigator, so note that the two sources give different street numbers for the entrance area.
Admission is €10 for adults and €6 for minors aged 6–17 and university students with proof of enrolment. Children under 6, licensed European Union tourist guides, and visitors with disabilities plus one family member or other companion who can show affiliation with social-healthcare assistance services enter free. For reservations, contact info@sigeric.it or 331 8866241.
What else can you plan around Monti?
Monti’s setting along the Taverone and its place in the Lunigiana’s historic route network give the visit a clear local context. The castle’s hilltop position is tied to the older settlement of Venelia below it, while the fortress’s history reflects the changing control of this part of the valley.
If you are combining the castle with time in Aulla, the Aulla visitor guide covers the town centre, sights and getting around.
Keep the plans separate: the castle requires a booked tour at a set time, while its historical setting centres on Monti and the surrounding valley. Allow about an hour for the guided visit itself, in addition to your journey.
Before you go
Confirm the tour time, booking arrangements and admission details before setting out, since visits are reservation-only and the schedule is not a weekly opening timetable. Check the official site before you go: use the Comune di Licciana Nardi’s information for access and admission, and Sigeric’s details for the guided tour.
FAQs
Is Castello di Monti open every day?
Visits take place at set times by reservation only; there is no recurring weekly opening schedule.
How long is the guided tour?
The guided tour lasts about one hour and requires advance booking.
How much does admission cost?
Admission is €10 for adults and €6 for eligible minors aged 6–17 and university students with proof of enrolment. Some visitors, including children under 6, enter free.
What can you visit in Aulla?
The Museo Emigrazione Gente di Toscana is another landmark to consider when planning time in Aulla.